September 13, 2013 -- While considered by some to be an extremely unlucky day, this Friday the 13th has proven to be exceptionally lucky for Donald Edwards, Jr., of Windsor, who claimed the CT Lottery’s first “Win up to $7,500 a Month for Life” top prize with a guaranteed minimum payout of $1.8 million.

Edwards, a “30-something” construction worker, stopped at a local convenience store with his co-workers to pick up a cold drink after a long, hot day at work. While there, he cashed a $5 winning “Win up to $7,500 a Month for Life” ticket and purchased one more ticket for another chance to win. Standing by his car, sipping his drink with his friends, Edwards scratched away the prize area on his ticket and, to his utter disbelief; he revealed one of the most enviable prize symbols of all…“WIN FOR LIFE.”

“I was just so excited…I ran from one friend to another to show them the ticket. Then I called my closest family members to tell them—‘I just won $7,500 a month for life!’ It was just surreal,” Edwards said with a laugh. “In fact, I’m not really sure that it has even sunk in yet.”

“Win up to $7,500 a Month for Life” top prizes are paid as $7,500 a month for life, with a guaranteed minimum total payout of $1,800,000, or as a one-time gross cash option payment of $1,500,000. Edwards selected the monthly payment option and today, he accepted his first of many prize checks to come for $5,123 (value after taxes) a month for the rest of his life.

“This will definitely help me to build a college fund for my daughter—she’ll be able to go wherever she wants to go,” Edwards told Lottery officials with a smile. “Not bad for a $5 ticket purchase!”

In addition to the new “Win up to $7,500 a Month for Life” and CT’s ever popular “Win for Life 19th Edition” game with a top prize worth up to $5,000 a month for life, the CT Lottery also launched two other new “For Life” games on September 9: “Win up to $10,000 a Month for Life” and “Win up to $2,000 a Month for Life.”

Edwards’ top prize winning Win up to $7,500 a Month for Life ticket was purchased at Cumberland Farms #4642, located at 909 Queen Street, Southington.